Nursing support of laboring women. An official position statement of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric & Neonatal Nursing.

The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) asserts that continuously available labor support from a registered nurse (RN) is a critical component to achieve improved birth outcomes. The RN assesses, develops,implements and evaluates an individualized plan of care based on each woman's physical,psychological and socio-cultural needs, including the woman's desires for and expectations of the laboring process. Labor care and labor support are powerful nursing functions, and it is incumbent on health care facilities to provide an environment that encourages the unique patient-RN relationship during childbirth.